Japan celebrates rollout of first F-35A

Senior Japanese and US government officials joined Lockheed Martin to celebrate the roll out of the first Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35A Lightning II.

Kenji Wakamiya, Japan’s State Minister of Defence spoke at the event, saying:

“With its low observability and network capability, the F-35 is the most advanced air system with cutting-edge capability as a multi-role fighter. As the security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe, because of its excellence, it is very significant for the defense of Japan to commit to acquiring the F-35 year by year. Given that the United States Government has designated Japan as a regional depot in the Asia-Pacific area, introduction of F-35A to Japan is a perfect example, enhancing the Japan-US alliance.”

Gen. Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, JASDF Chief of Air Staff, said,

“The F-35A has remarkably advanced system. This highly sophisticated 5thgeneration fighter will bring a great development to air operations as a game changer. In integration with current JASDF assets, it surely promises to enormously contribute to not only the benefit of our national defense and but also regional stability.”

Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and CEO said:

“The men and women of Lockheed Martin are honoured to bring the exceptional capability of the F-35A to our partners and friends in Japan.

The security alliance between Japan and the United States has been a cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region for generations, and we are proud to continue that legacy of cooperation with the rollout of the first F-35A to the Japan Ministry of Defense and the Japan Air Self Defense Force today.”

Japan’s F-35 programme includes 42 F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing aircraft, acquired through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales program.

The first four aircraft are built in Fort Worth and the remaining 38 aircraft will be built at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Final Assembly & Check-Out facility in Nagoya, Japan, where aircraft assembly is underway.

Maintenance training for the first JASDF F-35A technicians is underway at Eglin AFB, Florida, and the first JASDF F-35A pilots are scheduled to begin training at Luke AFB, Arizona, in November.